I’m fairly new to woodworking and wasn’t sure whether I should glue the vertical slats in the backrest or just let them float. They will each use mortise and tenon joints. It seems like it would be more rigid with glue but there’s the issue of expansion, since the grains will be perpendicular. But is that really an issue since the boards are only a few inches wide?

4 replies so far

Hi Dave,
I like the bench you’re building..I built one similar about 10 years ago for a customer when I lived in Memphis.
It was almost like yours, but it had a lid for the seat. It went in an upstairs bathroom, and the lady used it to put linens, towels, etc. in. It was solid oak, and I put the back staves in and glued them in so they wouldn’t rattle or give any. I made the tenons just a hair smaller, plus the glue, to give room for expansion and contraction with seasonal changes….I talked to her not too long ago, and asked her about the bench.She said it’s still just as solid as the day I delivered it to her…...no cracks or splits….But… if you’re worried about it, then I’d do as Boise Joe suggested, and try the space balls…. The only thing I really like to “float” is drawer bottomsand plywood panels…....It just a matter of choice…....

-- My grandpa used to say: "Y'all come back when you can....come after dinner, and leave before supper.."

The bench looks like it could be either an indoor or outdoor design. If it is indoor, probably no harm in gluing. If it is outdoor, you are better off not gluing. The glue can act as a moisture trap that keeps the tenons from being able to dry out after getting wet. This may cause the tenons to decay prematurely.

I agree with swirt on the interior / exterior application aspect of the bench. Since the question is glue or no glue I would say no glue. I also wouldn’t just dry fit the tenons either. What I think I would do is use blind wedge tenons. They’ll keep the joint tight without the use of glue and not loosen up and rattle like a dry fit tenon. Just my 2 cents.